Breinton
| Breinton | |
| Herefordshire | |
|---|---|
 The River Wye at Breinton | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SO466399 |
| Location: | 52°3’18"N, 2°46’48"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Hereford |
| Postcode: | HR4 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Herefordshire |
Breinton is a parish in Herefordshire just upstream of the county town, Hereford, three miles west of the city centre. It is a collection of hamlets on the north side of the River Wye, in particular, west to east:
- Breinton Common
- Upper Breinton
- Lower Breinton
- Warham
To the north are
- King's Acre along the A438 Hereford to Brecon road.
- Veldifer
The population of the civil parish was recorded at 836 at the 2011 census.
The name Breinton appears to be a modernised form of the word Bruntone, meaning a village near a flowing stream, or the same Middle-English form may mean "broom (flower) village".
Contents
Parish church
The parish church, St Michael’s[1] stands in Lower Breinton, beside the river.
The church originated around 1200, but was substantially rebuilt between 1866 and 1870 by F.R. Kempson, with architect James Cranston.[1] A few Norman parts remain, including the west doorway.
Churchyard memorials include those of Dr Henry Graves Bull (major contributor to an encyclopaedia of local apples and pears, the Herefordshire Pomona in 1884) Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club), Canon Charles Vincent Gorton (1854–1912, friend of Sir Edward Elgar), and Charles Dodgson (relative of Lewis Carroll, died 1941).
About the village
There are few parishes bordering a built-up city that are so rural and have changed so little in the last thousand years. In Breinton, one reason for that is the high quality of the deep red loam soils for agriculture and horticulture. Therefore, relatively few new buildings have been built on the valuable land since those shown on the 1839 tithe map. Another reason that Breinton remains rural is the beauty of the landscape, with vistas across hills, orchards, woods, and the valley of the River Wye.
The parish boundary is irregular, but in general it encloses land between the River Wye and the A438. Half the parish population live on or close to Kings Acre Road (the A438).
Breinton Springs (SO47263948) is a National Trust property.
History
The long history of Breinton remains visible in the landscape. A mound with a moat, probably a moated building belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Hereford Cathedral around 1150, lies close to the Church at Breinton Springs. Nearby, the undulating ground in an orchard is thought to be a deserted mediæval village: a mediæval settlement with eight villagers at Warham is also mentioned.
Other archaeological features that have been identified include trackways, ridge and furrow, and evidence of old irrigation leats on the meadows that flood, close to the River Wye.
Evidence of the historical ways of life is shown in the works of the artist Brian Hatton (1887–1916).[2] The locations of many of his rural scenes of Breinton that include old farm buildings and views of the countryside are still easily recognisable today. Details of archaeological and historic features can be found in Herefordshire Historic Environment Record Database.[3]
Agriculture and horticulture
The fertile soils of Breinton have been important for agriculture, and also horticulture. Back in 1876 some of the best roses in the country were grown at Kings Acre Nurseries by Messrs. Cranston and Mayos, and Cranston's Nursery and Seed Co. Ltd. introduced new apples such as the King's Acre Pippin. There was a decline in orchards in the 1890s, but then Messrs. Bulmer developed varieties of cider apple and new techniques for orchard design and management.
The Wyevale Nurseries, still present today, were established in 1932 by Harry Williamson, who pioneered the innovation of container-grown plants. The nurseries and fields of Breinton still yield a wide range of high quality plants and trees; dessert and cider apples and pears; and cereals, vegetables and other crops.
Natural history
The natural history of Breinton also reflects an ancient landscape. Field boundary hedges show a rich flora, and there are many notable and veteran trees, particularly oak and ash; plus ancient yews close to St Michael's church. Some areas have been woodland at least since the earliest maps, and some fields have an unusual variety of arable weeds, including the uncommon Shepherd's Needle. The orchards are home to many mammals, birds and insects, including the rare Noble Chafer beetle.
Guided walks
For visitors to Breinton, there are a number of guided walks to follow, offering further information about the landscape. For example:
- Breinton Springs Walk (5.5 miles)
- Breinton Springs Walk (6.5 miles)
- The Breinton Cider Trail (5.5 miles)
- Walk in the steps of Percy and Fred Bulmer (3.7 miles)
- Edward Elgar Walk, from Breinton Springs (5 miles)[4]
- Brian Hatton Walk, from Breinton Springs (5 miles)[5]
- The Wye Valley Walk (136 miles)[6]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Breinton) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 St Michael, Breinton
- ↑ Hereford Museum and Art Gallery
- ↑ Herefordshire Historic Environment Record
- ↑ 'Garth Lawson's monthly walk is in footsteps of composer and painter Sir Edward Elgar': The Hereford Times
- ↑ 'Garth Lawson's monthly walk: an easy five miles along good paths ainspired by country artist Brian Hatton'
- ↑ Wye Valley Walk
